Springbank The International Order of Scotch 21 Years Old 1974

An official Springbank single malt, a 21 year old release from 1974, drawn from cask 207 and bottled at 46%. 200 bottles in all. Springbank, founded in 1828 in Campbeltown, is famous for doing everything on site, from floor malting to bottling. The whole process, malting included, is carried out by hand on the one site.

This was run through the distillery's part triple distillation, the malt floor malted and gently peated, and slowly worm tub cooled. Ex-Bourbon casks held the spirit, soft oak that lets the make lead. At this age it is rich and complex, the fruit folded into a waxy, briny body. A patient maturation suits the rich, complex Campbeltown spirit. Today just three distilleries survive in the old Kintyre whisky town. The maritime warehouses by the sea lend the malt its briny, oily depth. A 1940s Porteus mill and an open iron mash tun are part of the old setup. The Mitchell family has held the distillery for five generations.

At 46% it is smooth and oily. Brine, wax and a light peat note sit over a vanilla and toffee sweetness. It is rich and layered, the fruit and salt well matched. A warming, oily finish lingers long. This is a hand made Campbeltown single malt.